Chapter 1 ~The Girl Next Door

It was 9:00 in the morning at Cocoa Beach Florida, and 84degrees. In the middle of July, it was very hard to find someone outside. Everyone was either sitting comfortably in their air-conditioned house, or simply sitting in front of a fan watching television. But Jeannie was outside doing yard work. The only reason she did it was to make her master pleased with her.

While she was washing the windows, a big truck following a small white car, pulled into the driveway next door. Jeannie stopped cleaning for a while and watched as some men moved lamps and furniture into the empty house. Next she saw a woman get out of the car and take some boxes in. The woman was very pretty with her red hair and fair skin. Wanting to be kind, she decided to go over and introduce herself.

Halfway there she stopped and thought about what her master would think about her meeting other people. While she was considering what to do, a car pulled into the driveway and a man got out. It was Major Roger Healey, Tony's best friend.

"Good morning Jeannie." He said, not really paying attention to her.

"Good morning Major Healey."

When he reached the door he turned around.

"Jeannie! What are you doing out here?"

"I am doing yard work for my master."

"Well why don't you come inside with me?"

"But I was going over there," she said and pointed next door.

"Why?"

"Well, someone just moved in and I wanted to meet her."

"I don't think Tony. . . wait, did you say her."

"Yes."

"Maybe we should go and introduce ourselves." He said walking toward the other house, Jeannie at his side.

"Roger?"

Major Healey looked behind him and saw Tony standing in the doorway of his house.

"Yeah?"

"Where are you and Jeannie going?" He asked, arms crossed.

"Oh, we are going next door to meet the new neighbor master."

"Not right now Jeannie. Come on in Roger." He said and watched the battle going on in his genie's head. The battle was to either obey him or blink at him. Luckily for him, she decided to listen to him.

Inside, Roger and Tony were working on a model, which was boring Jeannie.

"Master, do you want some lunch?"

"No, not right now Jeannie."

"I'll have a turkey sandwich."

"Roger."

"Don't worry master, it will only take a minute." She said and blinked.

Roger found himself sitting in the kitchen, and Jeannie getting his sandwich ready.

"Thanks Jeannie, but you could have just left me upstairs." He said, taking the sandwich from her.

"Oh, but I thought it would be more comfortable if you sat down here."

"Thank you Jeannie, but Tony might need my help."

"Oh, well he can have lunch too." She said and blinked.

"Jeannie I told you, we need to work on that model." Tony said as he was now sitting at the table with Roger.

"I know master, but you need your strength and you do like my cooking." She said making a pouty face. That was her master's only weakness.

"Okay Jeannie, but only for a minute."

"Oh good!" she said and spun around.

After they were done eating, Tony and Roger went upstairs to finish the model. At around nine o'clock Roger went home and Tony sat on the couch to watch some t.v. before he went to bed.

"Master?"

Tony looked up at Jeannie who was in her pajamas and patted a spot on the couch next to him. She sat down and faced him.

"What is it Jeannie?"

"Someone moved in next door and I want to meet her. She looks very nice, and I promise I will not use any magic. I never really get to meet anyone. You only let me talk to Major Healey because he knows what I am. Please let me go. Please, please, please." 

Jeannie said all this very fast and she had to stop and catch her breath.

"Okay."

"But master I . . . wait, you mean I can?"

"Sure, as long as you don't use your magic."

"Oh thank you master!" She said and threw her arms around his neck.

"You're welcome Jeannie." He said laughing. "But remember, no magic."

"Oh yes! Whatever you say master! Good night." She said and quickly kissed him before going to her bottle.